Certainly, the presidential election is at the top of most voters’ minds. But local positions on the Nov. 8 ballot are vitally important as well.

Those elected will make decisions regarding state and county spending, land use, public safety, transportation, water and wastewater management and more.

You have several opportunities to meet the candidates, ask questions, and learn all you can so you can make an educated vote on Nov. 8.

The Greater Hansville Community Center hosts its Candidates’ Night beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, at 6778 Buck Lake Road. Attendees will write questions for the candidates on 3-by-5 cards as they enter. Candidates will make a statement and then the moderator will ask submitted questions. (Sure, you’ll have to drive a ways to get there, but you’ll get free pie, made by members of the community.)

The League of Women Voters of Kitsap will present a series of forums leading up to the Nov. 8 general election. Forums will be recorded for later airing over BKAT. Here’s the schedule.

At 5:30 p.m., Oct. 6,, in the County Commissioners Chambers, 619 Division St., Port Orchard. Candidates: Michelle Caldier and Randy Spitzer, 26th District state representative, position 2; Dan Griffey and Irene Bowling, 35th District state representative, position 1; Drew C. MacEwen and Craig Patti, 35th District state representative, position 2.

At 6:30 p.m., Oct. 13, in the County Commissioners Chambers, 619 Division St., Port Orchard. Candidates: Jesse L. Young and Larry Seaquist, 26th District state representative, position 1.

At 6:30 p.m., Oct. 17, in the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 Sixth St., Bremerton. Candidates: Charlotte Garrido and Christopher J. Tibbs, County Commission District 2; Kitsap Transit passenger-only ferry proposal.

At 6:30 p.m., Oct. 18, Poulsbo City Hall, 200 Moe St. NE. Candidates: Charlotte Garrido and Christopher J. Tibbs, County Commission District 2; Sherry Appleton and Loretta Byrnes, 23rd District state representative, position 1.

At 6:30 p.m., Oct. 24, in the Norm Dicks Government Center, 345 Sixth St., Bremerton. Candidates: Jeffrey Bassett and Dale Magneson, Kitsap County Superior Court judge, position 5; John Armstrong and Debra Lester, Kitsap Public Utility District commissioner, District 1.

If you need to register to vote, or need to update your voter registration information, here’s what you need to know.

Oct. 10 is the deadline for mail and online voter registration and address changes.

From Oct. 11-31, new Washington voters can register in person in the Kitsap County Auditor Elections Division office at 619 Division St., Port Orchard.

Members of the military who are new Washington voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 8, to register.

For more informattion, go to www.MyVote.wa.gov, email audi tor@co.kitsap.wa.us, or call 360-337-7129.

And vote.